Do not worry if, after a few years of operation, the computer becomes unusually hot, it's just time to replace the gel. At first glance, this is not a complicated operation, but it involves the work of critical computer components, so before you spread the thermal grease on the processor, you need to know and clearly follow all the instructions.
Thermal paste, or thermal gel, is a type of heat-conducting material (TIM). When applied to the surface, it creates a connection that transfers heat from the source of thermal pollution - the processor to the radiator. Before deciding to replace the thermal paste, you must test the temperature of the processor. Its standard is determined by the manufacturer and usually should not exceed 50-60 degrees Celsius. If the temperature stably exceeds the allowed parameter, proceed to the process of restoring the heat-conducting layer.
Areas of use
Thermal grease is a type of coolant that serves to fill natural microscopic gaps when two metal surfaces, a processor and a cooler, are pressed against each other.
There are several different types of thermoplastics: ceramic and metal based and solid wax materials. Before you spread the thermal grease on the processor, you need to know exactly the brand of paste and the conditions of use. Some coolers come with pre-applied paste, but in most cases you need to be able to perform this procedure yourself.
Since the radiator is installed directly on the processor and if there is a lot of grease, then after compression it will spread outside the design, causing a threat to the electronic connections of the PC. To protect the equipment from this trouble, before spreading thermal grease on the processor, it is better to choose a non-conductive material. On the other hand, too thin a layer will not provide heat dissipation, the processor will overheat, which means that the whole computer crashes.
Protection, aging and cracking
To select a paste, use the parameter "hardening process" - the period of time necessary to achieve maximum efficiency. When applying a fresh layer, the material will remain in the liquid phase, which must be taken into account before smearing thermal grease on the processor. Until the layer hardens, the thermal efficiency of the PC will be low. This process can take several hours or days, depending on the load level and type of connection. After that, thermal grease reaches its peak of efficiency, and then the aging and cracking process gradually begins. With sufficiently intense heating, it loses the ability to qualitatively transfer heat from one surface to another.
Laptops are a typical example of this process. They are often subjected to more severe abuse and exposure to both external heat sources from sunlight and internal ones. Their ventilation openings are often not able to qualitatively remove waste heat, and internal devices are subjected to higher thermal loads as a result of a clamped case. When replacing the paste after removing the radiator and fan, flakes of dried material falling from the surfaces can be detected.
Thermal protection on a metal and ceramic basis
Metal thermal greases are usually gray in color and, as the name implies, contain metal particles suspended in the paste. The metals used in them are usually aluminum or silver. Before you spread the thermal grease on the PC processor, you need to consider that, compared to other types, they are the best when it comes to heat dissipation. The metal conducts electricity, and if at least one drop is spilled on the processor contacts, this will lead to a short circuit. In addition, metal-based pastes are more expensive than other types.
Ceramic thermal greases are usually white or light gray in color and contain fine ceramic powder in silicone paste. Typically, the main components of the gel are alumina and zinc oxide. The cheapest and most popular ones contain silicon dioxide.
Ceramic pastes are somewhat better than metal-based ones because they do not conduct electricity. There is a drawback - they do not dissipate heat as well as metal-based ones. And this must be taken into account for a specific PC model, before properly spreading thermal grease on the processor. These types are usually suitable for computers designed for everyday tasks and mid-level games.
Carbon Thermal Grease
Carbon based thermal grease is considered the best PC in the world. She is a favorite of enthusiasts, those who like to overclock their processors. It contains various substances such as coal dust, graphene oxide and diamond dust. That is why they are the most expensive.
Despite the fact that the price is quite high, it offers better properties than its competitors, having excellent dispersion, even more than a metal-based paste, at the same time it is non-conductive, like a ceramic-based material. In addition, it is used longer, so you do not have to often change the thermal paste on the processor, as with cheap analogues. The estimated service life is eight years. For reference, the average life of compounds based on metals and ceramics is two years.
Choosing the right thermal gel
There are several different thermal greases for the compounds, in addition to their chemical composition and manufacturer, they differ in a number of other factors that are important for the right choice:
- Package design. Most thermal compounds are applied using syringes or tubes up to 10 g. In this design they are easier to use, in addition, there are no metal compounds, so they are not electrically conductive. Some kits come with an applicator to evenly spread the paste over the entire surface.
- You need to know the scope before properly applying thermal grease to the computer processor. A high-end gaming PC or video editing and animation machine requires constant use of power, which will increase temperatures. Therefore, thermal paste is needed that can cope with such a thermal load based on metal or carbon. For ordinary everyday PCs, ceramic is the best choice.
- Cost. If the user decently spent on a high-end gaming PC, he should not save on the quality of thermal paste. The threat of losing an expensive car at a couple of thousand dollars due to overheating when applying a cheap gel is real, so it’s worth spending a couple of extra dollars to purchase high-quality carbon thermal paste. However, if the user has a limited budget and does not use an ultra-powerful processor, you can purchase it on the basis of metal, preferably with aluminum additives.
Using the Intel / AMD Spot Method
Some people recommend manually distributing the paste on the processor using a flat, hard device, such as a credit card. Despite the fact that this provides pleasant initial results and greatly facilitates the control of the amount of applied material, it has one significant drawback that can really affect performance. With this method, small air bubbles are created that do not remove heat, so cooling cannot be achieved.
Most of the search queries on the Web are caused by interest - how much thermal paste the processor needs. More advanced users use the dot (drop) method of applying a protective layer. Its simplicity allows you to eliminate the problems of other methods of application, guarantees excellent performance and uniform distribution of thermal paste, provided that the cooler is installed correctly.
Technological process
Before properly spreading thermal grease on the processor, they process the surfaces and make sure that all the necessary equipment is in place. Ideally, its application should be the last step before installing the radiator.
Before you begin to compress the piston, it is recommended to make sure that the surface of the cooler and processor is clean. Use a little rags and an alcohol-containing solution of 70% to make a thorough treatment from pollution, the surface should be with a metallic luster.
A small amount of thermal paste is applied to the top of the processor, where a smooth plate is located. Manufacturers Intel and AMD recommend squeezing a ball the size of a pea right in the center of the metal surface of the processor. You may need a little more for larger microprocessors with 6 or more cores.
Laptop cooling system
Application on laptops is different than on a desktop computer. To work, you need a tube / syringe with thermal grease, for example, Arctic Silver 5, screwdrivers of various configurations of regular size and an antistatic cloth.
The preparatory work algorithm and the technology for applying a new gel on an ASUS G-series gaming laptop (Republic of Gamers) can also be used for other types of laptops. The sequence of operations, or how to spread thermal grease on a laptop processor:
- Remove the main cover of the machine to see the parts that need to be removed. These are the screws and fan connector.
- Next, carefully raise the processor head.
- Later, they do the same with a fan cooler. Its block is attached to the GPU heatsink with adhesive tape, which must be carefully removed to avoid any damage.
- The GPU radiator is cleaned of old grease.
- Next, clean the central processor. Both have thermal paste residues that must be removed using rags and isopropyl alcohol. If it will be difficult to remove it, you can use the "old credit card technique" or a piece of similar plastic. It is not recommended to use force and anything that can scratch the surface and lead to higher temperatures.
Some people put paste in the base of the heat sink, while others put it on the processor. The best option is the second one, without having to apply too much grease. They squeeze it out of the tube with two X-shaped lines, then it will take up more space and have fewer air bubbles. This positive experience was gained as a result of experiments with Puget systems.
The radiator is glued to the processor with uniform pressure on all sides so that the putty stretches correctly and forms a thin layer. It is important after this not to separate the components, otherwise you will have to start the process anew, having previously cleaned the old paste.
After checking the quality of connections of all nodes of the machine, connect the fan to the motherboard and check the BIOS to see that the temperature of an unloaded PC remains below 40 degrees.
Apple processor protection algorithm
A step-by-step guide provides a description of how to replace thermal paste on your MacBook Air, but the same steps can be applied to most computers.
Necessary tools and supplies:
- Antistatic wristband.
- Isopropyl alcohol.
- Lint-free cloth or coffee filter.
- Screwdrivers needed to open the device and remove the logic board and heatsink.
- Noctua NT-H1 Thermal Grease Syringe.
Before you start working with the motherboard, it is recommended to wear an antistatic wrist strap and take the necessary measures to protect the device from electrostatic discharge. After the new thermal grease has been applied, several hours of PC operation are required for proper “setting” and maximum efficiency.
The algorithm for spreading thermal grease on a computer processor:
- Carefully unscrew the screws securing the heatsink to the processor with a screwdriver and set them aside.
- Remove residual thermal paste with a rag dampened with alcohol. And further, in order to remove fine fibers, the surface is treated with a coffee filter.
- Apply a small amount of paste directly to the place where the radiator will be placed.
- Carefully place the heatsink right on top of the processor. If thermal grease extends to the sides, carefully wipe off any excess with a coffee filter.
- After the heatsink and processor are reunited, it is imperative not to disassemble them, otherwise the seal will be damaged. If this happens, there are likely to be air pockets between the processor and the heatsink, and the previous steps will need to be performed again.
- It is recommended that the radiator be screwed in according to the star pattern to ensure uniform pressure distribution during fastening.
- Be sure to be careful when tightening the screws to avoid being pinched.
- Sometimes users wonder what can be used to spread the processor instead of thermal paste. The answer is simple: safe - nothing.
GPU heat sink
You need to get rid of the remnants of the old thermal paste on the GPU, similar to how this is done for the CPU.
The sequence of operations:
- Unscrew all the screws from the video card. There are different designs, some have mounts on top, under them, as well as on the sides. Be sure to remove everything before opening the lid. Do not apply too much pressure, as this may result in damage.
- Do not forget to monitor the fan power cables, as they are very fragile. When there are thermal pads in the GPU, it’s best not to touch them unless replacement is planned and if there are pads with the right thickness.
- When everything is removed and the screws are removed to the side, use a microfiber cloth with isopropyl alcohol, which clean the fan and the base of the GPU.
- Apply thermal grease to the chip. The process is similar to the above. Do not worry about the distribution and how much thermal paste is needed per processor, since the heatsink must independently even the layer evenly.
- Carefully install the graphics card cover. Tighten the screws appropriately crosswise to evenly tighten and secure the structure. They transfer the GPU back to the motherboard and control the PC settings.
Problems and Tips
After replacing the paste, the processor temperature is checked, and if it is above 40 degrees Celsius, this is a problem, and to eliminate it, you need to establish the cause.
Possible mistakes when applying paste:
- Improper surface cleaning when removing old paste. Violation of cleaning technology, such as treatment of a radiator with an oil-based cleaner.
- Perhaps the radiator was installed correctly, but the thermal grease was applied too thickly.
- The break-in process has not been completed. It is important to remember that all thermal grease has its own “adaptation period,” which can range from a few days to a week, depending on the use of the computer. During the application of a new protective layer, the temperature drop will not be more than 2-5 degrees, the full effect will be obtained only after the adaptation is completed. For temperature measurements, you can use the HWMonitor program.
- The radiator or cooler could be contaminated with a fingerprint or dirt.
- The radiator fan is not properly fixed and unbalanced, which can cause excessive vibration and damage to the protective layer.
- Lack of proper contact between the CPU core and the heatsink.
Precautions for applying thermal paste:
- Make sure that during work she does not get into her mouth or eyes.
- Keep out of the reach of children.
- Do not turn on the computer until the process of installing thermal paste between the core and the radiator is completed correctly.
- A high-performance processor can be damaged within 10 seconds if it is not properly cooled.
Reviews: top 5 best thermal grease
The cooling efficiency depends not only on the correctness of the procedure, but also on the quality of the selected thermal paste. Every year, large online sites compile popularity ratings to give an idea of the different brands and what they have advantages over others. Experienced users study this information before choosing the best product for themselves. Here are some of the most recommended thermal greases on the market in 2019:
- Arctic Silver 5 AS5-3.5G. Product of one of the world's leading manufacturers of heat-conducting compounds and adhesives. , 99,9% , , , . . 6 3,5 .
- Thermal grease ARCTIC MX-4 is made on a high-performance carbon base, suitable for all coolers, the packing volume is 4 grams. Arktika is a relatively new company, since it began operations only in 2010. She quickly rose in the ranking and became one of the leading companies offering heat-conducting materials. ARCTIC is made on a carbon basis for cooling a high-end PC processor and is one of the most popular brands for compounds. It contains small particles of carbon that provide improved thermal conductivity and make it non-conductive for electricity. The cost of the tube is about 10 dollars.
- Noctua NT-H1 is best suited for mid-range PCs, as it has respectable thermal conductivity, but does not have the same efficiency as ARCTIC. This is a kind of hybrid compound that combines the properties of thermal paste based on metals and ceramics, the cost is $ 10 per tube.
- Cooler Master is a high-performance thermal grease. It is one of the first products on the market and, despite its twenty-year history, is still in demand. The paste is suitable for medium and high power range systems. Its high thermal conductivity allows central and graphic processors to operate with maximum efficiency. It contains various types of metal oxides suspended in a silicone gel. This gives thermal grease optimal heat absorption and allows the chip to cool much faster. The cost of the product is $ 9 per tube.
- Gelid Solutions GC-Extreme has almost all the premium technical features - a non-corrosive compound that does not conduct electricity with maximum thermal conductivity costs $ 12 per tube.
Replacing thermal paste on a computer processor is a very important operation. And, although the compounds may look like the smallest part of the entire PC assembly process, in fact they are the key to the durability of the computer system. If users do not want the central and graphic processors to be fried due to overheating, you need not to skimp and buy the best pasta.